Chapter 1: Underneath The Bandages, Part 1

Common Honorifics:
-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.
-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.
-chan: A common suffix among people you’re close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it’s cutesy and childlike.

She was dazzling,

Many students gathered at the entrance ceremony, yet she stood out.
Wearing her brand-new uniform, she was more beautiful than anyone else.
Her long silvery-white hair reminiscent of freshly fallen snow; her translucent white skin; her feathery blue eyes; and her long, sleek eyelashes—She was completely breathtaking.

That girl took over the stage as the representative of the freshmen.
Straightening her back, she spoke with clarity and vibrancy, wearing a sparkling smile.
By the end of her speech, she had already ensnared the hearts of the entire school.

Needless to say, I was also one of them.
I couldn’t help but wonder if someone so outstanding as her even existed in the first place.
I could vehemently swear she was an angel with how precious she seemed.
An existence far from mine, maybe from a different dimension altogether.

All the freshmen went to their respective classes after the ceremony.
Coincidentally, I ended up in the same class as her.

The first period was homeroom.
The teacher gave words of encouragement to the students, and each one introduced themselves separately.
I learned her name then.

Yuki Shirahato.

That was the name of the girl who won over the hearts of everyone.
People naturally flocked around her, and with a simple laugh, she made the surroundings glisten.

I let out a weak sigh as I watched my classmates gather around her.
It would’ve been nice to have the same guts to do what they did.
Unfortunately, I’m not that kind of person.

When I was in elementary school, I was confident and would talk to absolutely anyone.
However, as a result of spending three years in junior high as a recluse due to the sudden passion I had gained for studying, I felt that my personality changed a lot.

Feeling distant from the radiant figure of Yuki Shirahato, and unable to make connections with my new classmate, I remained quietly in my seat, listening to their happy conversation.

“Shirahato-san, you’re so beautiful! You really look like an angel from up close!”

“Your freshman speech was incredible.
I admire the fact you didn’t seem nervous at all.”

“Do you have a boyfriend, Shirahato-san? Would you like to exchange contacts with me?”

Yuki Shirahato returned their words politely.
Every word she said oozed kindness.

Not only was she gorgeous, but she was also courteous.
In addition to that, in